DYER, Arkansas — Crawford County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Robin Gaines suffered burns and smoke inhalation after making two attempts to reach a trapped resident during a June 3 house fire in Dyer, according to reporting and body-worn camera video published by the River Valley Democrat-Gazette.
The Democrat-Gazette reported that the redacted body-camera video, with audio, came from Gaines’ camera and showed the early-morning rescue attempt. The outlet attributed details to Sgt. Philip Pevehouse of the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office.
In the footage, Gaines is heard saying, “She’s right there!” as he tries to get to the window of the burning home. The report said a bystander helped him as he stood on a 5-gallon bucket beside the brick wall and attempted to enter the window twice.
“I’m burnt up, dude!” Gaines says near the end of the video, according to the source footage and report.
The resident could not be saved, and authorities reported that three other occupants escaped the flames. The Democrat-Gazette reported that the victim’s identity had not yet been confirmed and that the cause of the fire remained under investigation, so ThinBlueNews is not naming the victim or speculating on the cause.
Deputy recovering after injuries
According to the report, Gaines, 41, suffered first-, second- and third-degree burns, smoke inhalation and other injuries. Pevehouse told the newspaper that Gaines was out of the hospital and recovering at home.
The article also noted that community support for Gaines and his family had grown across the River Valley, including a benefit dinner and other fundraising efforts. Gaines previously served with the Fort Smith Police Department and had been recognized as the 2022 Officer of the Year for the State of Arkansas, according to the report.
Why this story matters
The video is difficult because it shows a rescue attempt that did not end the way first responders hope. It is also a public reminder that deputies and other first responders sometimes move toward danger before backup, equipment and fire crews can fully take over.
For law-enforcement families and supporters, the Dyer fire is a sober example of the risk behind a simple radio call: an officer hearing someone may still be inside and making the decision to try anyway.
Sources reviewed
- River Valley Democrat-Gazette: “Video shows Crawford County deputy trying twice to save woman in Dyer house fire”
- River Valley Democrat-Gazette YouTube/body-camera video: “Body camera footage from Crawford County deputy who tried to save woman from fire”
Editorial note: ThinBlueNews used a source video still that shows the exterior of the burning home and does not show the victim. The story avoids naming the victim, avoids cause-of-fire speculation and limits injury/status details to the cited report.